Who Built the Dome of the Rock?
The Dome of the Rock is one of the most iconic buildings in the Islamic world.
According to Britannica, the golden-domed building, which stands majestically in the Old City of Jerusalem, was built by the Umayyad dynasty caliph, Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, in the late 7th century AD.
The Dome of the Rock is even known as the oldest surviving Islamic monument. Its construction was completed around 691–692 AD or 72 Hijriah, as stated in the inscription on the building.
The Dome of the Rock stands in a sacred area that Muslims call al-Haram al-Sharif or “The Noble Sanctuary.” For Jews, the location is known as Temple Mount.
This place has long been a spiritual center for various religions long before Islam arrived in Jerusalem. According to Jewish tradition, the First Temple of Jerusalem, built by King Solomon, once stood at this location.
When the second caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, took control of Jerusalem in 638 AD, the city already had many churches, monasteries, and magnificent Christian buildings.
Several decades later, the Umayyad dynasty under the leadership of Abd al-Malik built the Dome of the Rock as a monumental project that affirmed Islamic power in the region.
For Muslims, the large stone under the dome is believed to be the place where the Prophet Muhammad performed the Mi’raj, or ascended to heaven to meet Allah SWT. This location is also associated with the Isra, the Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Therefore, many people often mistakenly think that the Dome of the Rock is the Al-Aqsa Mosque. In fact, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the main mosque building located on the south side of the complex and has a dark gray dome.
In terms of architecture, the Dome of the Rock has a unique shape in the form of an octagonal building with a large dome in the middle.
Although its mosaic techniques were greatly influenced by the Byzantine tradition, the Dome of the Rock’s decorations do not feature images of humans or animals, as is common in Byzantine churches.
Instead, the ornaments are filled with plant patterns, crowns, jewelry, and Arabic calligraphy containing verses from the Quran.